Chateau Montelena
Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon
Calistoga, Napa Valley, California, USA
Nose has ripe plum, under-ripe raspberry, damp garden soil, orange zest (?), black licorice, toasted vanilla bean, wet peppercorn in bouquet garni and minor alcohol heat.
Palate has dried plum, tobacco, dried black currant, dried black cherry, minor dark chocolate, dried strawberry, light cedar & oak notes. Medium tannins, still needs time. Future bottles may be 2026+, in proper storage.
Corked pulled 5h rest, 2h decant.
Paired exceptionally with a 3-day marinated tri-tip (for two, small cut), expertly grilled. Beef from our total go-to purveyor of the best meats to be had, Kinderhook Farm in Valatie, NY. Loving environment = Tasty, seriously.
Nose has ripe plum, under-ripe raspberry, damp garden soil, orange zest (?), black licorice, toasted vanilla bean, wet peppercorn in bouquet garni and minor alcohol heat.
Palate has dried plum, tobacco, dried black currant, dried black cherry, minor dark chocolate, dried strawberry, light cedar & oak notes. Medium tannins, still needs time. Future bottles may be 2026+, in proper storage.
Corked pulled 5h rest, 2h decant.
Paired exceptionally with a 3-day marinated tri-tip (for two, small cut), expertly grilled. Beef from our total go-to purveyor of the best meats to be had, Kinderhook Farm in Valatie, NY. Loving environment = Tasty, seriously.
Monthly wine group meet up. This month's theme was non-typical reds from Napa. Wines were tasted blind. Always a great time. 👌
This was enjoyed at the end of the night just to see how we were tasting in comparison to all of the non-cabs we had been trying. Montelena's cabs are a nod to old school as they aren't as heavy and full bodied as most Napa Cabs. Needs a lot of air time to be drinkable. Cedar, strawberries, herbs, and a tannic backbone that will go for years. Great ending, Will!
Monthly wine group meet up. This month's theme was non-typical reds from Napa. Wines were tasted blind. Always a great time. 👌
This was enjoyed at the end of the night just to see how we were tasting in comparison to all of the non-cabs we had been trying. Montelena's cabs are a nod to old school as they aren't as heavy and full bodied as most Napa Cabs. Needs a lot of air time to be drinkable. Cedar, strawberries, herbs, and a tannic backbone that will go for years. Great ending, Will!
Very tight. After an hour showing some fruit but not yet open. Just a baby. Nice. Better after 5yrs.
Very tight. After an hour showing some fruit but not yet open. Just a baby. Nice. Better after 5yrs.
1 person found it helpfulMay 14th, 2017
This Friday, my Cabernet fix is from the very famous Château Montelena.
Dark ruby in color and cloudy with a wide purplish rim.
Nice nose of black currants, sweet raspberries, bell peppers, earth, sage, peppermint, chocolates, oak, vanilla, licorice, tobacco, spices and peppercorn.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity, smooth with long legs.
Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, sweet cherries, oak, chocolates, vanilla, licorice, earth, spices and peppercorn.
Long finish with firm tannins and tangy raspberries.
A very enjoyable Napa Cabernet. Soft and smooth, with nice complexity and balance. Still young and needs at least 3 years to blossom, however it is very approachable now.
Delivers nice acidity, to make the finish interesting. Already shows a smooth mouthfeel at this young age.
Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels.
14.2% alcohol by volume.
This Friday, my Cabernet fix is from the very famous Château Montelena.
Dark ruby in color and cloudy with a wide purplish rim.
Nice nose of black currants, sweet raspberries, bell peppers, earth, sage, peppermint, chocolates, oak, vanilla, licorice, tobacco, spices and peppercorn.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity, smooth with long legs.
Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, sweet cherries, oak, chocolates, vanilla, licorice, earth, spices and peppercorn.
Long finish with firm tannins and tangy raspberries.
A very enjoyable Napa Cabernet. Soft and smooth, with nice complexity and balance. Still young and needs at least 3 years to blossom, however it is very approachable now.
Delivers nice acidity, to make the finish interesting. Already shows a smooth mouthfeel at this young age.
Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels.
14.2% alcohol by volume.
A classic Napa wine from a terrific vintage and this wine won't break the bank!
A classic Napa wine from a terrific vintage and this wine won't break the bank!
Jul 5th, 2017
Pairs nicely with sweet potato baby food! 😉
Pairs nicely with sweet potato baby food! 😉
Jan 26th, 2019
It’s snowing for the 20th day in a row. I needed a big, tasty Cab.
It’s snowing for the 20th day in a row. I needed a big, tasty Cab.
Dec 7th, 2018A great Napa Cab. Flavor body finish. 9/18
A great Napa Cab. Flavor body finish. 9/18
Oct 10th, 2018